Task lamps, with a magical ability to direct a beam of light directly onto a designated surface, are as functional outdoors as in an office. Lately we’ve been admiring a new generation of outdoor task floor lamps, ranging from giants on wheels to illuminate an entire patio to modest sizes to place next to a reading chair on the porch.
What functions should you look for in a task light? Adjustability is the feature that tops our wish list; many task lamps have an articulated arm and adjustable joints. A heavy base (to keep it from tipping in the wind) is also useful, as are wheels (which can turn even the weightiest lamp into a mobile spotlight).
Here are 10 of our favorite task floor lights for the garden:
Above: From Anglepoise, a Giant Outdoor Floor Lamp faithful to the company’s original 1934 design “is the perfect way to make a not-so-subtle design statement when lighting your exterior space.” With stainless steel wheels for portability, its height can be adjusted from 60.6 inches to 106.3 inches. Available in 15 colors, it is $5,300 from Lumens. Above: A weather-resistant Outdoor Task Lamp from Archimoon has a plastic diffuser made of woven PVC tubes. The floor lamp is suitable for use in a damp location; 84 inches high, it is $14,950 from All Modern. Above: From Artemide, an 86-inch-high Tolomeo Mega Outdoor Floor Lamp has a “light source is enclosed in a diffusing cap fitted inside a transparent IP65 plastic unit that recalls old lampposts” and is $2,465 from Y Lighting. Above: Fermob’s Large Balad Lamp With Stand With Stand (available in six colors including Storm Grey as shown) is $641 from 2 Modern.
Above: From France-based design house Mon Atelier Secret, an indoor-outdoor Tom Floor Lamp in gray has an articulated, adjustable arm. For more information and pricing, see Mon Atelier Secret.
Above: Manufactured in Spain, a Marset Outdoor Floor Lamp is suitable for use in wet locations. It takes an LED bulb and is available with shade colors including black as shown; $1,614.15 from 2 Modern. Above: An aluminum Tolomeo Lampione Outdoor Floor lamp has a transparent plastic diffusing cap “that recalls old lampposts, in use when light was produced from oil.” It is £802.40 from Made in Design.
Above: Designed by Jac Jacobson, a Great JJ Outdoor Floor Lamp is “a very large scale lamp,” the manufacturer notes, at 165 3/8 inches high. Made in Italy, it is available in five painted finishes. For more information and prices, see Leucos USA.
Above: With a removable lantern, a Sasha Outdoor Floor Lamp made in Spain by Carpyen is 68.5 inches tall; $1,128 from Lumens. Above: Designer Giordana Arcesila’s Miami Floor Lamp for Italy-based Antonangeli weighs 154 pound; wheels make it easy to move around in the garden despite its granite base. It is £2,017 from Made in Design. N.B.: Lighting sets the mood. If you’re illuminating a path, patio, or entryway, our editors have advice to get you started: see our Design Guide: Outdoor Lighting 101. You can use our lighting guide to learn everything you need to know to choose and install uplighting, pathway lights, stairway lighting, outdoor wall lights, string lighting, and well lights.
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation